LISTEN - Murder of Carrickfergus man may be linked to previous assault

By Q Radio News

Detectives investigating the murder of a man in Carrickfergus say his death may be linked to a previous assault which took place five days before his death. 

47-year-old Glen Quinn was discovered in his home in Ashleigh Park on Saturday. 

Police became aware of his death after a friend reported a concern for his safety that day. 

Detective Superintendent Jason Murphy said, "We now know he was the victim of an attack, sustaining blunt force trauma that I believe resulted in his death.

"Glen was well-known throughout Carrickfergus and had no known enemies and no reason that we are aware of for anyone to cause him harm.

"We know that Glen was assaulted on 29th December and while he wasn’t badly injured, he was left frightened by the incident and we are working to establish if there is any link between that assault and Glen’s subsequent murder." 

Det Supt Murphy told Q Radio, a post mortem examination also proved Mr Quinn died as a result of blunt force trauma, sustained during an attack. 

He believes this assault took place in his home on Friday 3rd January. 

He added Glen was well known and well liked in the area and was quite frail due to ill-health. 

Police are trying to establish a motive as to why someone would assault a man of this calibre. 

In a previous statement, Det Supt Murphy confirmed he was aware of rumours circulating regarding the involvement of the South East Antrim UDA. 

"In this type of investigation, rumour and speculation are unhelpful.

"They have the possibility to raise tensions and put others at risk.

"We want to carry out a sound investigation, not confused by rumour or gossip, and I would encourage people to speak to us directly and tell us what they know so we can establish what the facts are." 

Det Supt Murphy is making a number of appeals to the public. 

"At this stage I am keen to speak to:

• Anyone who has been in contact with Glen since Christmas Day and to whom he had revealed any concerns
   
• Anyone who might be able to shed light on the motive for Glen’s murder or those responsible for it
   
• Anyone who was in Ashleigh Park on Friday 3rd January, from midday until 10pm.
   
• I am particularly keen to establish whether witnesses saw anything or captured any footage on dash cam or mobile phone
   
• Anyone who witnessed the assault on Glen on 29th December

"In the coming days we will be working closely with local Neighbourhood officers to provide reassurance to the local community and to enable those who wish to speak to police to do so."

Earlier, Ulster Unionist Assembly member John Stewart said Mr Quinn was well regarded in the community.

"Everyone I spoke to refers to the victim as a lovely and kind-hearted person, someone who was not involved in anything that should lead to this," he said.

"The family no doubt want answers as quickly as possible and hopefully the police will be able to provide information and I would appeal for anyone with information to come forward."

Mid and East Antrim councillor Billy Ashe said Mr Quinn only moved into the area recently.

"It is a decent area and people are upset," said the DUP representative.

Two men, aged 38 and 39, and a woman aged 47, earlier arrested in connection with Mr Quinn's death, were rearrested on suspicion of murder on Monday night.

They were later released on police bail pending further enquiries.